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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with linguine pasta in a rich, buttery sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It is an easy-to-make, hearty, and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta

  • 8 ounces linguine pasta
  • Salt, for pasta water

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest before slicing.
  2. Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
  3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir constantly. Add the Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine and Finish: Add the sliced chicken back into the skillet and toss with the sauce. Add the cooked linguine, gently mixing everything together. Gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired sauce consistency is reached. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top before serving.

Notes

  • Rest the chicken before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Use freshly minced garlic for best flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; al dente is ideal.
  • Grate your own Parmesan cheese for a richer taste and better melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, buttery chicken pasta, creamy linguine recipe, smoked paprika chicken, easy dinner recipes, comfort food pasta